EVMS students volunteer to make special deliveries

Child-care providers across South Hampton Roads received donations of critical cleaning supplies and paper products today, thanks to the efforts of an impromptu consortium of 10 community organizations and EVMS students who made the deliveries.

“This is just one more example of how EVMS students really care about what happens in our community,” says Jane Elyce Glasgow, PhD, Executive Director of EVMS Minus 9 to 5.

As public schools closed in response to the pandemic, EVMS Minus 9 to 5 convened a work group to address the critical child-care needs for essential personnel. The group determined that — among other things — many child-care providers were unable to purchase bulk supplies of basic health and hygiene supplies due to shortages. In response, the work group coordinated a supply drive that resulted in supplies for nearly 200 child-care centers and homes.

The EVMS Student Government Association helped coordinate 15 student volunteers to assist with delivery to the 74 centers in Norfolk and Portsmouth.

“All of us are here because we really want to help out,” says student Jennifer Tich, MD Class of 2021. “It feels really rewarding.”

Student Ashley Peterson, MD Class of 2023, was equally enthusiastic. “I’m grateful that EVMS is so community centered,” she says, “and that we have this opportunity to give back this way.”

Virginia Quality, a Virginia Department of Social Services program, purchased the supplies for VA Quality-eligible centers and family day homes. The project was supported by the VDSS Grant #93.575, with funds made available to Virginia from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

EVMS Minus 9 to 5 is a collective impact initiative of the EVMS M. Foscue Brock Institute for Community and Global Health that strives to equip and support Hampton Roads families to raise children who are healthy, thriving and ready to learn.